Zmarłym is a Polish black metal quartet consisting of following musicians; Andrzej Kądziela (vocals, guitar & keys), Kacper Biedrzycki (guitar), Marcin Ścibisz (bass) and Michał Piekarski (drums). Wielkie Zanikanie is the moniker of their second full-length, released by Godz Ov War Productions. Wielkie Zanikanie consists of nine lengthy tracks of what I would call an experimental, avant-garde and atmospheric black metal with some electronic elements.

Unlike many of their Polish colleagues, the guys from Zmarłym don’t find inspiration in (anti)religion, but rather from pandemics, nature (forest, skies etc.) and with a main focus on the phenomenal/hypnotic atmospheres and ethereal instrumentalisation that elevates all your senses as listener. Their song-writing is really strong and needs to be heard!

The vocals are not typical black metal, but rather very friendly and adequate (at times really sharp and venomous, and a moments later it sound smore prog rock ones) perfectly fitting into the overall narrative. Guitars are distant and not as dominant as the case was on their 2021 debut full-length, Druga Fala. To these traditional instruments the band uses the impressive and mind-blowing electronics. Bass lines are intriguing/captivating and often serving as a foundational element, providing a sense of depth and weight to the music, while also contributing to the overall haunting and ethereal atmosphere. Finally, the drums are maybe not technically complex, but they are creating a fast and chaotic feel, which is a hallmark of the genre.

Two of my favourite tracks from Wielkie Zanikanie are definitely “Ludzie Schronu (2034)” where the band mixes all these aforementioned elements and presents a phenomenal atmospheric track. Another highlight of the album is a track named “A Good Day”, starting in a typical black metal style, which changes into an almost prog rock number exactly halfway through the song.

Zmarłym combines a raw sound with a clear aesthetic vision and there are certainly many other elements on this album that surprise, with many inspirations flowing from metal- and non-metal genre. Thus, Wielkie Zanikanie is a bit of ‘progish’, avant-garde, atmospheric, relentless and unforgiving release, that I had a pretty good time listetning to (twice), but to be fair, it’s not an album that I will listen to on a regular basis.

If you’re a fan of atmospheric/avant-garde/experimental black metal and acts such as Martwa Aura, A Forest of Stars, Sznur, Oranssi Pazuzu, Mgła, Blut Aus Nord etc., then you should check this band from Końskie out. For more information on this sophomore release from Zmarłym visit their bandcamp.